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The Child Care Subsidy

Making High-Quality Early Learning More Accessible for Australian Families

At Milestones Early Learning, we believe every child deserves the very best start in life - and that access to high-quality early education should be affordable for all families. The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is a government initiative that helps reduce the cost of child care, supporting families to access early learning and care that fits their needs.

And now, with the proposed 3-day guarantee, even more families may benefit from subsidised early learning - regardless of how many hours they work, study or volunteer.

What is the Child Care Subsidy?

The Child Care Subsidy (CCS) is financial support provided by the Australian Government to help families manage the cost of early childhood education and care.

Your CCS percentage is based on:

  • Your family’s combined income
  • The number of hours you work, study, train or volunteer
  • The type of approved child care service you use

How it works: The CCS is paid directly to Milestones Early Learning, which reduces your out-of-pocket child care fees. You only pay the gap after your subsidy is applied.

What Is the 3-Day Guarantee?

In February 2025, the Australian Government introduced legislation for a 3-Day Guarantee - a major step toward making early childhood education more accessible for all families.

If the legislation is passed, from 5 January 2026:

  • All Child Care Subsidy (CCS)-eligible families will receive at least 72 hours of subsidised child care per fortnight (equal to three days per week), regardless of their activity level.
  • Families of First Nations children will be eligible for up to 100 hours of subsidised care per fortnight.
  • Families already engaging in 48 or more hours of recognised activity per fortnight will continue to receive up to 100 hours of subsidised care per child.

This proposed change is designed to support more families by improving access to affordable child care across Australia. We'll continue to update this page as more information becomes available and the legislation progresses.

Am I Eligible for the Child Care Subsidy?

To qualify for CCS, you must:

  • Have a child under 13 enrolled in an approved service like Milestones Early Learning
  • Be an Australian citizen or hold an eligible visa
  • Meet the activity test (or benefit from the 3-day guarantee, if passed)
  • Ensure your child is up to date with immunisations

Check your eligibility and apply through MyGov.

How to Apply for the Child Care Subsidy

Step 1: Check Your Eligibility & Apply via MyGov

  • Log in to your MyGov account and link it to Centrelink.
  • Submit a CCS claim, including income details and child care needs.
  • Centrelink will assess your application and notify you of your CCS percentage.

Step 2: Contact Milestones & Discuss Fees

  • Call our Family Support Team at 1800 244 532 to find your nearest centre and discuss daily fees.

Step 3: Estimate Your Out-of-Pocket Costs

  • Once you have your CCS percentage and daily fees, use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to see how much you'll pay.

Step 4: Confirm Your CCS Enrolment

  • After enrolling at Milestones, log in to MyGov to approve your child’s CCS enrolment.

Need help? Our Family Support Team is here to guide you. Call us at 1800 244 532.

Estimate Your Child Care Costs

Want to get a clearer picture of your fees after CCS? Use our Child Care Subsidy Calculator to estimate your fees after your CCS is applied.

Before using the calculator, make sure you:

  • Confirm your CCS percentage in MyGov
  • Call 1800 244 532 to check daily fees at your preferred centre
Please note

This is only an estimate of how much your family might pay for early childhood education and care. To confirm your eligibility and receive your subsidy, you must update your details for each child through your Centerlink - MyGov Account.

Children

Please note: If you have more than one child aged 5 or under in child care, eligible higher rate children will receive a 30% higher subsidy, up to a maximum 95%

$

Subsidy

%
hrs
$40,000
$530,000.00+
$
%
hrs

Maximising Your CCS Benefits

  • 3-Day Guarantee (Proposed): All CCS-eligible families may receive at least 72 hours of subsidised care per fortnight - regardless of activity level
  • Higher CCS for second children: Families with more than one child under five may receive a higher subsidy for the second child
  • Increase your activity hours: Families doing more than 48 hours of recognised activity per fortnight may qualify for up to 100 hours of CCS
  • Support for low-income families: Families earning under $80,000 may receive up to 90% off child care fees

Need tailored advice? Our Family Support Team is just a phone call away - 1800 244 532.

Why Choose Milestones Early Learning?

  • We’re an approved CCS provider
  • Flexible session times to help you maximise your CCS hours
  • All-inclusive daily fees covering meals, nappies, and learning programs
  • Personalised support from our friendly team to help you navigate CCS
  • Purpose-built learning environments and a research-based curriculum to support lifelong learning

Ready to enrol? Find your nearest Milestones centre and book a tour today!

Have Questions? Contact Us!

Call our Family Support Team at 1800 244 532 - we're here to help!